Paint color matching and coordinating system

ABSTRACT

A paint color matching and coordinating system comprises an interface for receiving an input reference color, a processor capable of reading a memory, a memory including (1) instructions readable by the processor and (2) a database of architectural paint colors spanning all or most of the known color space, and a display generator. In use, the interface of the system receives an input reference color from a user. The processor selects a “reference paint color” from the database, the reference paint color being visually closer, with respect to color space, to the input reference color than any other paint color in the database. According to the invention, color space is divided into a plurality of fixed, generally equally sized, non-overlapping, contiguous portions, each color space portion being defined as the space of all colors within a band of hues within color space. The processor selects five sets of paint colors—one set from each of the color space portions that include the five hues that comprise the “five-way harmony” of the reference paint color. The processor may also select a sixth set of paint colors from the color space portion that includes the hue of the reference paint color. Finally, the processor directs the display generator to create a display of color samples of the reference paint color and of the first through sixth sets of paint colors.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.10/383,297, filed Mar. 6, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,924,817, which is acontinuation of patent application Ser. No. 09/538,664, filed Mar. 30,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,510. The present application claimspriority benefit of both of the foregoing patent applications (U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 10/383,297 and 09/538,664). In addition,the entire disclosures of the foregoing patent applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to architectural paint colorsand, specifically, to an architectural paint color matching andcoordinating system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Architectural paint (“house paint”) is commonly provided in variouscolors. Paint color display systems have been developed to displayvarious paint color samples to assist consumers in selecting paintcolors. Such systems typically involve a display board, pamphlet, orbook having ink-based or paint color samples.

Paint colors are sometimes referenced with respect to systems forarranging and describing color, generally referred to as color-ordersystems. One well-known color-order system is the Munsell system.According to the Munsell system, colors are characterized by threeattributes: hue, value, and chroma. Hue is the attribute of color whichis commonly described by words such as “red,” “yellow,” “green,” “blue,”“purple,” etc. Value is the attribute of color which is described by thewords “light,” “dark,” etc. Chroma is the attribute of color which isdescribed by the words “bright,” “dull,” etc. For example, the colors ofa tomato and a brick may be equal in hue and value, yet the colors arenot identical. The difference is that the tomato is brighter, having ahigher chroma.

Munsell color space is a three-dimensional space including anddescribing visual relationships between colors. This color space isbased on a collection of actual physical samples arranged so thatadjacent samples represent distinct intervals of visual colorperception. Although based on physical samples, Munsell color space istheoretically capable of describing all possible colors. According tothe Munsell system, color space is described with respect to threedimensions: hue, value, and chroma. Theoretically, the Munsell locationof every possible color can be described by three coordinates,corresponding to the hue, value, and chroma of the given color. Althoughin theory Munsell color space is capable of describing all colors, it isunderstood that it may not be possible to create physical samples of allof the colors which could theoretically fit within Munsell color space.In particular, not all theoretical colors within the perceived Munsellcolor space can be made into paints.

Within Munsell color space, a vertical axis, known as the value axis,represents color value. In other words, the value (lightness/darkness)of color is determined by the vertical position within color space.Color becomes lighter as the vertical position increases. The hue ofcolor is determined by the angular position about the vertical valueaxis. The various hues, i.e., shades of red, yellow, green, blue,purple, etc., are represented by vertical planes extending radially fromthe value axis. Moreover, every angular position about the axis, from 0°to 360°, represents a different hue. The chroma (brightness/dullness) ofcolor is determined by the radial distance from the value axis. Color isdull (gray) near the axis and becomes brighter, or more “chromatic,” asthe radial distance from the value axis increases.

The Munsell system is one of a number of color-order systems based onactual physical samples. Another class of color-order systems are notbased on physical samples. One of the most important of these systems isthe CIE System (Commission International de l'Eclairage or InternationalCommission on Illumination). The premise of the CIE System is that thestimulus for color is provided by a proper combination of a source oflight, an object, and an observer. The CIE System describes color withreference to a standard source of illumination and a standard observer.

One widely used non-linear transformation of the CIE System is CIELAB,an opponent-type space in which color is described by three coordinatesL, a, and b. In CIELAB space, L is the lightness of color (similar toMunsell value), a is a redness-greenness coordinate, and b is ayellowness-blueness coordinate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an architectural paint color matching andcoordinating system to assist in complementary paint color selection.The present invention recognizes that current methods of displayingcomplementary colors do not effectively assist the consumer in selectingcomplementary paint colors.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of generating adisplay or “palette” of complementary architectural paint color samples,comprising the steps of (1) receiving an input reference color having areference hue, (2) selecting a first set of architectural paint colorshaving a first hue that is one of the hues comprising the five-wayharmony of the reference hue, and (3) displaying color samples of thefirst set of architectural paint colors on one of a display monitor or ahard-copy printout.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of generatinga display of complementary architectural paint color samples, comprisingthe following steps: One step is receiving an input reference color.Another step is selecting a reference paint color from a database ofarchitectural paint colors within a color space. The reference paintcolor is visually closer, with respect to the color space, to the inputreference color than any other paint color within the database. Each ofthe paint colors within the database is located within only one of aplurality of fixed non-overlapping contiguous portions of the colorspace. Each of the color space portions is defined as the space of allcolors within a band of hues within the color space, the color spaceportions spanning all hues in the color space. The number of the colorspace portions is advantageously at least 30. Another step isdetermining a first of the color space portions, the first color spaceportion including a first hue that is one of the hues comprising thefive-way harmony of the hue of the reference paint color. Another stepis selecting a first set of architectural paint colors from thedatabase, the first set being located within the first color spaceportion. Another step is displaying color samples of the first set ofarchitectural paint colors on one of a display monitor or a hard-copyprintout.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an architectural paintcolor coordination system for selecting complementary architecturalpaint colors, comprising an interface for receiving an input referencecolor, a processor configured to perform instructions read from amemory, a memory storing instructions configured to be read andperformed by the processor, and a display generator. The instructionsdirect the processor to perform the steps of directing the interface toreceive an input reference color having a reference hue, with respect toa color space; selecting a first set of architectural paint colorshaving a first hue that is one of the hues of the five-way harmony ofthe reference hue; and directing the display generator to display colorsamples of the first set of architectural paint colors.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an architectural paintcolor coordination system for selecting complementary architecturalpaint colors, comprising an interface for receiving an input referencecolor, a processor configured to perform instructions read from amemory, a memory storing instructions and a database of architecturalpaint colors within a color space, and a display generator. Theinstructions are configured to be read and performed by the processor.The instructions direct the processor to perform the following steps:The processor directs the interface to receive an input reference color.The processor selects a reference paint color from the database. Thereference paint color is selected so that it is visually closer, withrespect to the color space, to the input reference color than all otherpaint colors within the database. The paint colors within the databaseare grouped into a plurality of mutually exclusive sub-sets, each ofwhich subsets of colors being located within only one of a plurality ofnon-overlapping contiguous portions of the color space. Each of thecolor space portions is defined as the space of all colors within a bandof hues within the color space, the color space portions spanning allhues in the color space. The number of the color space portions is atleast 30. The processor determines a first of the color space portions,the first color space portion including a first hue that is one of thehues comprising the five-way harmony of the hue of the reference paintcolor. The processor selects from the database a first set ofarchitectural paint colors being located within the first color spaceportion. The processor directs the display generator to display colorsamples of the first set of architectural paint colors.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofgenerating a display of complementary architectural paint color samples,comprising the following steps. An input reference color is received,and a reference paint color is selected from a database of architecturalpaint colors within a color space. The reference paint color is closerin hue, value, and chroma to the input reference color than any othercolor within the database. The reference paint color has a referencehue, a reference value, and a reference chroma. For every color in thedatabase, there is a predetermined range of hue, a predetermined rangeof value, and a predetermined range of chroma. These predeterminedranges include the hue, value, and chroma, respectively, of the color. A“complementary hue” is determined, which is a hue that is five-wayharmonious with the reference hue. A “matching complementary color” isselected, which is defined as a color in the database that is closer tothe complementary hue, the reference value, and the reference chromathan any other color in the database. First and second “offset colors”are then selected from the database. In one embodiment, the first andsecond offset colors have hues substantially equivalent to endpoints ofthe predetermined range of hue corresponding to the matchingcomplementary color, the hues of the offset colors being within saidpredetermined range on opposite “sides” of the complementary hue. Also,the offset colors have value and chroma substantially equal to thereference value and reference chroma, respectively. Color samples of atleast one of the first and second offset colors are then displayed onone of a display monitor or a hard-copy printout.

In another embodiment of the method just described, the first and secondoffset colors have values substantially equal to endpoints of thepredetermined range of value corresponding to the matching complementarycolor. The values of the offset colors are within said predeterminedrange, one of such values being higher and the other being lower thanthe reference value. Also, the offset colors have hue and chromasubstantially equal to the complementary hue and reference chroma,respectively. In yet another embodiment of the method just described,the first and second offset colors have chromas substantially equal toendpoints of the predetermined range of chroma corresponding to thematching complementary color. The chromas of the offset colors arewithin said predetermined range, one of such chromas being higher andthe other being lower than the reference chroma. Also, the offset colorshave hue and value substantially equal to the complementary hue andreference value, respectively.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an inventoryselection system, comprising an architectural paint color selectionsystem, a database of inventory, and a processor. The architecturalpaint color selection system is configured to generate an output displayof harmonious paint colors and to communicate color information of suchpaint colors to a processor. The database of inventory contains colorinformation of items of such inventory. The processor is incommunication with the paint color selection system to read the colorinformation of the paint colors. The processor is also in communicationwith the database to read the color information of the items ofinventory. The processor is configured to select matching inventory fromthe database whose color information is within a predetermined toleranceof the color information of any of the paint colors generated by thepaint color selection system. The processor is also configured toprovide a listing of such matching inventory.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achievedover the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention havebeen described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that notnecessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordancewith any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example,those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of theinvention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments havingreference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited toany particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a graphical illustration of theoretical color space;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of theoretical color space;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal, i.e., uniform value, cross-sectional view oftheoretical color space;

FIG. 4 is a uniform hue plane of theoretical color space;

FIG. 5 is a uniform value cross-section of theoretical color space,showing a set of six-way harmonious hues;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an architectural paint color matchingand coordinating system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a uniform value cross-section of an architectural paint colorspace of the present invention, illustrating the division of color intoa plurality of contiguous fixed non-overlapping color space portions;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single color space portion accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a uniform value cross-section of the architectural paint colorspace of the present invention, showing a set of generally six-wayharmonious color space portions;

FIG. 10 is a uniform value partial cross-section of the color space ofthe present invention, showing a single color space portion;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram showing one embodiment of a controlprogram for the system of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the architectural paint color matchingand coordinating system of the present invention, illustrating oneembodiment of the interface thereof;

FIG. 13 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, in which the user isprompted to select a general color group;

FIG. 14 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, in which the user isgiven the option of fine-tuning a color selection;

FIG. 15 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, in which the user isgiven the option of adjusting the value (lightness) of a selected color;

FIG. 16 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, displaying a selection ofalternative color reference systems from which the user may choose aninput reference color;

FIG. 17 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, displaying a selection ofcommon color names which the user may choose as an input referencecolor;

FIG. 18 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, instructing the user howto scan an input reference color into the system from a physical sample;

FIG. 19 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, displaying one embodimentof a palette of harmonious paint colors;

FIG. 20 is a view of a sample monitor screen generated by a computerprogram according to the flowchart of FIG. 11, displaying an alternativeembodiment of a palette of harmonious paint colors;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an in-store kioskversion of the system of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a multiple kiosk embodiment of the systemof the present invention; and

FIG. 23 shows one embodiment of a paint color display card of a paintcolor display system usable in conjunction with the paint color matchingand coordinating system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This application hereby incorporates by reference, in its entirety, thecommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,093, entitled “Display SystemFacilitating Paint Color Selection and Coordination,” filed on Mar. 30,2000 (hereinafter “Display System Patent”).

In general, any of a variety of color languages may be used to describecolor. These languages have been developed to describe qualities whichare visually perceived. The teachings and claims of this invention aredirected toward that which is visually perceived, which may be describedby the use of any color language. Although the invention is describedwith reference to a particular color language system described below,the invention is not intended to be limited to that context. In otherwords, it is contemplated that other color language systems could alsobe used to describe the present invention.

The present invention recognizes that it is useful to organizearchitectural paint colors with reference to hue, value, and chroma ascontemplated by a theoretical color system. To describe the invention,it will be helpful to provide a context for the discussion of color,including a three-dimensional color space model and some principlesconcerning complementary colors.

An appropriate theoretical three-dimensional color space is graphicallyillustrated in FIG. 1. A vertical value axis 20 is shown. The value ofcolor, i.e., the lightness or darkness of color, is determined by thevertical position within color space. Color becomes lighter as thevertical position increases. The hue of color, i.e., the quality ofcolor which is described by the words “red,” “yellow,” etc., isdetermined by the angular position about value axis 20. The chroma,i.e., brightness, of color is determined by the radial distance fromvalue axis 20. Chroma is equal to 0 at the value axis 20. The colorspace is described below with respect to each of the individualdimensions value, hue, and chroma.

According to the system, color has a finite value (lightness) range.Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, value axis 20 has a finite length. Bydefinition, the minimum value of color is 0, represented at the bottompoint 22 of value axis 20, and the maximum value of color is 100,represented at the top point 24 of value axis 20. Value axis 20represents varying lightness shades of gray, with the darker grays beingnearer to the bottom of the axis and the lighter grays being nearer tothe top. The bottom point 22 of value axis 20 has zero lightness andcorresponds to pure black, the darkest color. Moreover, only pure blackhas a value equal to 0. Thus, color space converges at point 22 of valueaxis 20. The top point 24 of value axis 20 has maximum lightness andcorresponds to pure white, the lightest color. Moreover, only pure whitehas a value equal to 100. Thus, color space converges at point 24 ofvalue axis 20. Due to the convergence of color space at the endpoints22, 24 of value axis 20, color space has a cocoon-like shape, as shownin FIG. 2.

According to the system, color also has a finite hue range. Color hue islimited to the angular positions spanning 0° to 360° about value axis20. As the angular position about the axis changes, color transitionsthrough a fixed sequence of hues. FIG. 3 shows a horizontalcross-section of color space, intersecting value axis 20 between theendpoints 22 and 24 shown in FIG. 1. In other words, FIG. 3 shows aplane within color space, having a uniform value between 0 and 100. Asshown in FIG. 3, in the counter-clockwise direction about the valueaxis, hue transitions through the following generalized sequence: red,pink, violet, purple, blue, aqua, green, yellow, and orange. Of course,the colors indicated in FIG. 3 will be lighter or darker for differentvalues between 0 (point 22) and 100 (point 24).

In addition to indicating variations in hue, the planar cross-section oftheoretical color space represented by FIG. 3 also illustrates chromaticvariations in the space. Color becomes brighter as the distance from thevalue axis 20 increases. Positions far from the value axis are verybright, or chromatic, while positions near the value axis are dull andmore grayish. In theory, there is no limit to the possible chroma(brightness) of color having any given hue. However, in practice, colorhas a limited range of chroma, due to the fact that colors having chromabeyond a certain limit have not been discovered. In particular, for anygiven value and hue, color has a limited known chroma range. The word“known” is used to indicate that, for a given hue and value, higherchroma are not known to exist. The known chroma range is from 0 at thevalue axis 20 to an outer radial limit. The outer radial limit of theknown chroma range varies for different values and hues. For example, alight yellow has a greater maximum known chroma than does a darkeryellow. A dark red has a different maximum known chroma than does alight blue.

FIG. 4 illustrates the varying known chroma range of color in thetheoretical color space. FIG. 4 shows a uniform hue plane of the space,i.e., a “slice” of color space corresponding to a single hue. Inparticular, a vertical plane is shown passing through the value axis 20and extending radially outward therefrom. This is essentially a knownchroma range profile for a given hue. The profile shown in FIG. 4 istypical of most hues within color space. As shown, the uniform hue planehas a straight edge, corresponding to the value axis 20, and a curvededge 28 corresponding to the highest known chroma for any given value.For example, consider a point A on the curved edge 28. Point A has avalue V_(A) and a chroma C_(A). Thus, at the value V_(A), the highestknown chroma within the displayed hue plane of the space is C_(A).Within the uniform hue plane, the known chroma range varies with value.At the bottom of the value axis, the known chroma range converges at thepoint 22. As the value increases, the known chroma range becomes larger.The maximum known chroma range within the displayed hue plane is at thevalue V_(M), at which the known chroma ranges from zero at the valueaxis to C_(M) on the line 28. The point M corresponds to the brightestcolor having the hue of the uniform hue plane. As the value increasesabove V_(M), the known chroma range decreases. At the top of the valueaxis, the known chroma range converges at the point 24. It is understoodthat in practice it may not be possible to create all of the morechromatic colors of a given hue, particularly for architectural paints.

For any given reference hue there exists a set of five complementaryhues. This set is referred to as the “five-way harmony” of the referencehue. FIG. 5 is a uniform value cross-section of theoretical color spacedepicting the entire spectrum of hues. FIG. 5 graphically illustratesthe five-way harmony of a reference hue represented by the line 30extending radially outward from the value axis 20. The hues comprisingthe five-way harmony are those hues that are angularly displaced fromthe reference hue, line 30, by 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, and 300° about thevalue axis 20. In FIG. 5, the hues comprising the five way-harmony ofthe reference hue, line 30, are represented by lines 31, 32, 33, 34, and35. More generally, any five of the hues 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35comprise the five-way harmony of the sixth hue from this set. Forconvenience, any set of six hues that are angularly displaced inincrements of 60° about the value axis 20 will be referred to herein asa “six-way harmony,” and will be described as “six-way harmonious.” Thehues represented by lines 32 and 34, i.e., the hues that are angularlydisplaced from the reference hue 30 by 120° and 240° about the valueaxis 20, are known as “split-complements” of the reference hue. The setof lines 30, 32, and 34 graphically represent “split-complementary”hues. Six-way harmonious hues and split-complementary hues areunderstood to be aesthetically pleasing when displayed together. Theterm “complementary” will be used herein to mean five-way harmonious.

FIG. 6 schematically shows an architectural paint color matching andcoordinating system 36 of the present invention. The system 36 comprisesan interface 38, a processor 40, a memory 42 storing instructions 46 anda database 48 of color information of architectural paint colors, and adisplay generator 44, such as a television monitor or a printer. Thecolor information stored in the database 48 may comprise referencecoordinates describing the locations of the stored paint colors, withrespect to any color-order system. The color information may comprisehue, value, and chroma or CIELAB coordinates, or the appropriateidentifiers for any other color identification system for the paintcolors. In a preferred embodiment, the color information advantageouslycomprises D65 CIELAB identifiers for all the stored paint colors. Inuse, the system 36 receives an input reference color from a user andgenerates an output display having color samples of various matching andcomplementary architectural paint colors. Specifically, the displayincludes color samples from the five-way harmony of the input referencecolor. The system 36 may be advantageously used in a retail environmentto assist consumers in architectural paint color selection andcoordination of complementary architectural paint colors. In oneembodiment, the system 36 is configured as an in-store kiosk, as shownin FIG. 21, described below.

In accordance with the invention, a database 48 of about 65,000architectural paint colors has been created, spanning a wide range ofhue, value, and chroma. These paint color samples form an independentcolor space which is the basis for an architectural paint color displaysystem described in the above-identified Display System Patent. Thesepaint color samples have been arranged according to the guidingprinciple that adjacent samples should represent equal intervals ofvisual color perception. In a preferred embodiment, these paint colorsamples are arranged in accordance with the general dimensions of thetheoretical color space outlined above. In other words, the samples arearranged with reference to a vertical value axis 20, with chroma varyingwith the radial distance from the value axis and value varying with thevertical position relative to the value axis.

Preferably, the color space defined by the architectural paint colorsincluded within the database 48 spans the entire visible spectrum ofhues which are known to exist and are represented within currently knowncolor-order systems. Optionally, the database 48 may exclude thosecolors for which architectural paints are not useful or desirable. Forexample, architectural paint colors having very low chroma (dull) orvery high (light) or very low (dark) value are generally unused and,thus, are preferably excluded from the database 48. The system 36 usesthe database 48 to select a reference paint color and to selectcomplementary paint colors, as described below.

FIG. 7 shows a uniform value cross-section of the color space of thepresent invention, illustrating a plurality of fixed non-overlappingcontiguous portions 50 of color space. Each of these color spaceportions 50 is defined as the space of all colors within a band of hueswithin the color space. The color space portions 50 preferably span allhues in the color space. Preferably, the hue spans of the portions 50vary, so that each portion represents a visually meaningful andgenerally distinct family of colors. Alternatively, all of the portions50 may span an equally sized range of hues. FIG. 8 is a perspective viewof a color space portion 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the color space portion50 resembles a narrow curved wedge converging at the value axis 20.

Preferably, the number of color space portions 50 is sufficiently highso that each portion has a perceptually uniform hue. In other words, theportions 50 are preferably narrow so that a viewer cannot perceive largedifferences between colors of different hue within a single portion 50.An advantage of having narrow color space portions is that each portionmay represent a nearly uniform hue. There are preferably at least 30color space portions 50, in which case the mean hue span of the colorspace portions 12° about the value axis 20. In another preferredembodiment, there are 90 color space portions 50, in which case the meanhue span of the color space portions is 4° about the value axis 20. Inyet another preferred embodiment, there are 91 color space portions, butonly 84 are used in the paint color matching and coordinating system ofthe present invention, described below. Seven of the color spaceportions are not used because they represent colors which have a highdegree of perceptual similarity to adjacent color space portions, andare thus difficult to distinguish.

FIG. 23 is one embodiment of a set of paint color display cards 200 ofthe paint color display system described in the Display System Patent,usable in conjunction with the paint color matching and coordinatingsystem of the present invention. The display cards 200 preferablyinclude a two-dimensional array of architectural paint color samplessubstantially spanning one of the 90 color space portions 50 of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. The paint color samplesare colors from the architectural paint color database described above.In one dimension of the two-dimensional array, the display cards show anincreasing value, while in the other dimension the display cards show anincreasing chroma. In the illustrated embodiment, cards 200 include 48paint color samples 202. The dotted lines and labels (C1, C2, . . . andD1, D2, . . . ) indicate the card positions of each of the colorsamples. For example, the bottom-left sample is located at (C1, D1).

Tables 1 and 2, below, provide two examples of a suitable selection ofarchitectural paint colors for one or more paint color display cards orother display pattern or arrangement usable in conjunction with thepaint color matching and coordinating system of the invention. Thesetables each list a selection of paint colors and their correspondingcoordinates (C1, D1, etc.) according to the arrangement of color samplesshown on the display cards 200 of FIG. 23. The colors are identified byD65 CIELab coordinates (L, a, b), as known in the art. Each tabledescribes a display having a two-dimensional array of paint colorsamples. In particular, the arrays have an increasing value in onedimension and an increasing chroma in the other dimension. Moreover, alladjacent samples represent substantially equal intervals of visual colorperception.

Also, each set of display cards 200 includes a border color surroundingthe above-mentioned color samples. The border color is preferably thesame color as, or similar to, the high chroma color corresponding to thecolor space portion represented by the display card. Tables 1 and 2 alsoindicate the D65 CIELab coordinates for the border color of eachrepresented card.

TABLE 1 First Example of Sample Paint Colors on a Display Card as inFIG. 23 Position Position L a b Border Border 56.576 −48.668 15.151 C1D1 95.749 −7.166 1.807 C1 D11 43.196 −42.056 13.155 C1 D3 90.585 −17.4692.849 C1 D5 84.034 −27.784 5.182 C1 D7 73.922 −40.652 10.098 C1 D961.145 −48.165 14.571 C2 D10 52.054 −37.281 10.160 C2 D12 35.518 −28.2777.976 C2 D2 92.171 −10.794 1.542 C2 D4 86.755 −18.254 2.427 C2 D6 78.867−29.947 5.492 C2 D8 67.686 −39.256 10.346 C3 D1 94.706 −6.558 1.931 C3D11 42.292 −23.375 4.500 C3 D3 88.570 −11.952 1.215 C3 D5 82.123 −20.0972.805 C3 D7 71.652 −31.148 6.967 C3 D9 57.049 −33.736 8.383 C4 D1051.271 −24.808 4.268 C4 D12 34.956 −15.711 2.195 C4 D2 90.970 −7.7281.216 C4 D4 84.856 −12.766 1.207 C4 D6 77.345 −20.179 2.717 C4 D8 66.829−30.498 6.788 C5 D1 94.045 −4.514 1.306 C5 D11 42.301 −15.153 0.829 C5D3 87.282 −8.594 0.970 C5 D5 80.754 −14.712 1.469 C5 D7 72.367 −22.8514.401 C5 D9 57.358 −24.761 4.259 C6 D10 51.707 −16.988 0.832 C6 D1235.695 −10.496 −0.340 C6 D2 89.998 −5.509 1.167 C6 D4 83.506 −8.6620.624 C6 D6 76.980 −16.982 1.927 C6 D8 66.243 −21.840 3.132 C7 D1 93.647−2.596 1.419 C7 D11 42.885 −9.746 −1.499 C7 D3 86.317 −5.672 0.418 C7 D579.709 −9.711 0.881 C7 D7 72.597 −15.354 2.533 C7 D9 57.311 −16.8431.105 C8 D10 52.153 −10.418 −1.586 C8 D12 36.436 −6.580 −2.179 C8 D289.581 −3.353 0.812 C8 D4 82.522 −5.182 0.392 C8 D6 76.869 −11.096 0.721C8 D8 66.442 −14.295 0.305

TABLE 2 Second Example of Sample Paint Colors on a Display Card as inFIG. 23 C D L a b Border Border 66.584 −43.148 2.994 C1 D1 95.136 −7.4240.110 C1 D11 33.473 −31.330 7.197 C1 D3 90.924 −15.407 −0.856 C1 D582.830 −27.128 −0.753 C1 D7 66.398 −43.051 3.610 C1 D9 46.500 −41.9625.264 C2 D10 38.607 −34.256 4.548 C2 D12 30.267 −20.923 3.679 C2 D293.675 −10.791 −0.024 C2 D4 88.150 −19.789 −1.128 C2 D6 75.565 −36.0651.055 C2 D8 58.542 −45.571 4.899 C3 D1 94.824 −6.660 0.067 C3 D11 29.601−14.338 −0.047 C3 D3 90.667 −13.307 −1.020 C3 D5 82.118 −23.691 −0.935C3 D7 64.555 −35.222 1.376 C3 D9 43.850 −28.705 0.827 C4 D10 36.768−16.472 −1.740 C4 D12 29.026 −10.799 −1.279 C4 D2 93.105 −8.140 −0.203C4 D4 86.777 −13.702 −1.049 C4 D6 72.518 −25.597 −0.865 C4 D8 56.538−31.050 0.389 C5 D1 93.417 −5.240 −0.031 C5 D11 30.394 −9.510 −2.184 C5D3 89.199 −9.527 −1.183 C5 D5 80.583 −17.951 −1.596 C5 D7 62.505 −25.430−1.163 C5 D9 43.862 −18.699 −2.203 C6 D10 36.823 −10.731 −3.143 C6 D1227.887 −6.495 −2.125 C6 D2 92.564 −5.956 −0.201 C6 D4 85.674 −10.032−1.205 C6 D6 71.846 −19.503 −1.294 C6 D8 55.865 −22.195 −1.808 C7 D192.490 −4.861 −0.087 C7 D11 31.368 −6.729 −3.031 C7 D3 88.796 −6.741−0.663 C7 D5 80.111 −13.123 −1.493 C7 D7 62.234 −17.994 −2.818 C7 D944.176 −12.402 −3.521 C8 D10 37.387 −6.881 −3.912 C8 D12 30.148 −6.445−2.819 C8 D2 92.122 −4.362 −0.111 C8 D4 84.756 −6.862 −1.081 C8 D670.551 −12.951 −1.706 C8 D8 56.322 −15.063 −3.212

As mentioned above, in one preferred embodiment, the color space isdivided into 91 color space portions, but only 84 are displayed. Eachcolor space portion includes one “high-chroma color” that issubstantially the most chromatic color therein. The complete set ofhigh-chroma colors generally describes how the color space has beenparticularly divided into a set of distinct color space portions. Table3, below, identifies a complete set of 91 high-chroma colors for adivision of the color space into 91 distinct color space portions(“CSPs”), according to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment of theinvention. In particular, the high-chroma colors are identified by D65CIELab coordinates (L, a, b) and also by Lch (L, c, h) coordinates, asknown in the art. The color information for those high-chroma colorswithin the seven non-displayed color space portions is italicized.

TABLE 3 High Chroma Color for Each Color Space Portion (CSP) CSP L a b ch 1 86.054 −4.396 84.807 84.920 92.967 2 81.947 −9.799 78.475 79.08497.117 3 79.065 −18.438 74.278 76.533 103.940 4 75.986 −27.793 68.52873.950 112.076 5 73.891 −32.697 64.524 72.335 116.873 6 71.705 −35.64461.676 71.235 120.025 7 67.049 −43.533 54.368 69.649 128.685 8 65.407−45.240 51.483 68.536 131.307 9 64.057 −46.633 48.156 67.035 134.080 1062.030 −48.333 44.602 65.769 137.299 11 60.439 −49.898 41.262 64.748140.411 12 59.248 −50.507 37.121 62.681 143.685 13 57.691 −50.791 30.60359.299 148.930 14 58.241 −50.335 23.836 55.694 154.660 15 56.924 −49.45019.510 53.159 158.469 16 57.461 −48.047 14.182 50.097 163.555 17 55.569−45.485 7.688 46.131 170.407 18 57.580 −45.338 6.170 45.756 172.250 1956.795 −44.726 4.459 44.948 174.306 20 55.238 −43.486 0.840 43.494178.893 21 56.676 −40.998 −6.136 41.455 188.512 22 54.613 −39.564 −9.04640.585 192.879 23 62.586 −36.794 −15.187 39.805 202.428 24 61.489−34.467 −20.109 39.904 210.261 25 61.099 −30.921 −25.878 40.321 219.92626 60.356 −28.029 −30.395 41.346 227.318 27 60.182 −25.986 −33.23242.186 231.976 28 60.676 −23.517 −36.587 43.493 237.269 29 60.406−22.653 −36.876 43.278 238.438 30 59.806 −21.626 −37.276 43.095 239.88031 59.372 −20.903 −37.610 43.028 240.936 32 59.017 −19.480 −38.02042.720 242.872 33 58.386 −15.985 −39.048 42.193 247.738 34 48.826 −9.602−40.920 42.032 256.794 35 47.485 −7.371 −41.735 42.381 259.984 36 47.219−5.449 −42.456 42.805 262.686 37 45.720 −3.127 −42.715 42.830 265.813 3843.564 1.180 −39.786 39.804 271.699 39 42.996 4.214 −37.900 38.133276.345 40 43.621 6.256 −36.360 36.894 279.763 41 42.681 7.274 −35.41136.150 281.608 42 43.164 9.235 −34.614 35.825 284.939 43 43.262 10.620−33.786 35.415 287.449 44 42.555 12.339 −32.438 34.706 290.827 45 42.23513.179 −32.077 34.678 292.336 46 42.726 14.434 −31.048 34.239 294.934 4742.335 17.218 −29.386 34.059 300.368 48 47.119 20.297 −27.396 34.096306.534 49 44.225 20.354 −27.345 34.089 306.662 50 45.124 22.342 −26.61734.751 310.010 51 49.329 25.949 −24.411 35.627 316.750 52 48.755 29.612−21.498 36.593 324.021 53 49.692 34.983 −18.751 39.691 331.808 54 47.93938.418 −16.414 41.778 336.865 55 47.895 45.914 −11.801 47.407 345.586 5647.059 47.225 −8.361 47.959 349.960 57 50.455 48.554 −6.377 48.971352.518 58 39.451 49.821 18.841 53.264 20.715 59 41.654 52.211 22.42856.825 23.247 60 42.251 52.719 27.394 59.411 27.457 61 42.968 52.19128.486 59.459 28.626 62 43.844 52.614 31.005 61.070 30.510 63 44.50853.376 33.336 62.931 31.987 64 45.388 54.976 36.021 65.725 33.233 6546.012 54.709 36.382 65.701 33.624 66 46.574 56.164 37.746 67.669 33.90467 47.366 55.820 38.396 67.751 34.522 68 51.133 58.007 40.163 70.55434.698 69 48.189 56.519 42.529 70.733 36.960 70 50.774 57.315 44.35972.475 37.738 71 51.808 57.225 46.231 73.566 38.934 72 54.754 57.44951.897 77.418 42.093 73 56.010 56.091 53.142 77.268 43.454 74 56.55854.293 53.471 76.203 44.563 75 58.058 52.498 55.338 76.278 46.508 7659.550 51.089 56.967 76.520 48.114 77 61.405 48.632 60.152 77.352 51.04578 63.604 46.489 63.972 79.080 53.994 79 64.266 45.492 65.088 79.41155.049 80 67.252 40.718 68.992 80.112 59.451 81 69.032 37.488 72.37681.509 62.617 82 73.777 29.357 80.145 85.352 69.882 83 74.317 27.96481.627 86.284 71.089 84 75.228 26.063 82.921 86.921 72.551 85 77.61720.689 85.263 87.737 76.361 86 78.691 17.243 87.015 88.707 78.791 8779.900 14.013 87.940 89.050 80.946 88 81.522 8.228 90.741 91.113 84.81989 81.975 7.163 90.039 90.323 85.451 90 81.940 6.027 88.580 88.78586.107 91 82.771 3.659 87.973 88.049 87.618

As mentioned above, colors having hues which are angularly separated byincrements of 60° about the value axis 20 are six-way harmonious. Colorshaving hues separated by increments of approximately 60° are “nearlysix-way harmonious” and exhibit substantially the same aestheticbenefits of harmony when displayed together. Narrow color space portions50 which are angularly separated by approximately 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°,or 300°, as shown in FIG. 9, are described herein as “generally six-wayharmonious.” Colors within generally six-way harmonious color spaceportions 50 are at least nearly, if not exactly, six-way harmonious. Inother words, any color within one of said generally six-way harmoniouscolor space portions 50, shown in FIG. 9, is at least nearly six-wayharmonious with any color within another of said generally six-wayharmonious color space portions 50.

All of the paint colors in the database 48 are graphically locatedwithin one of the color space portions 50 of the present invention. Foreach paint color, the database 48 preferably includes an identificationof the color space portion 50 within which the paint color is located.FIG. 10 illustrates this concept. Suppose the database 48 includes apaint color graphically represented in the color space of the presentinvention by the point I having a value V₁. FIG. 10 is a partialcross-section of the color space having a uniform value equal to V₁. Asshown, the point I is graphically located within a color space portion50 _(I) within the color space. Preferably, in addition to storing thepaint color represented by the point I, the database stores a linkedidentification of the color space portion 50 _(I). Thus, for any paintcolor, such as point I, the processor 40 can determine the color spaceportion thereof, such as portion 50 _(I), simply by reading thisinformation from the memory 42.

The interface 38 of the system 36 is configured to receive an “inputreference color” from the user. This is a color that the user provides.The input reference color can be any color. The system 36 thendetermines a “reference paint color,” which is the architectural paintcolor from the database 48 that most closely matches the input referencecolor. The system uses the reference paint color as a reference togenerate complementary paint colors, as described below.

The interface 38 is preferably configured to allow the user to select aninput reference color in several ways. First, the user can select theinput reference color from a video or physical display of architecturalpaint colors. Second, the user can identify the input reference color byinputting a color identification, such as (1) a color identificationcode that describes the input reference color with respect to a knowncolor-reference system or color database, or (2) a common color name(e.g., “Blush”). Third, the user can scan the input reference color intothe system 36 from a physical specimen, such as a cloth, paper, carpet,painting, photograph, curtain, painted wood piece, etc. These aspects ofthe interface 38 are described in greater detail below. Depending on themethod by which the user selects the input reference color, the inputreference color and the reference paint color may be the exact samecolor.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a control program for the system36. Accordingly, the user and the processor 40 communicate through theinterface 38 (FIG. 12). Initially, when a user initiates a session, theprocessor 40 requests that the user select one of the available methodsof selecting an input reference color (step 100). Once in the commandstate, 102, the user then chooses an input reference color selectionmethod, one of steps 104, 114, 126, or 134.

As mentioned above, according to one selection method of the system 36,the user can select an input reference color from a display ofarchitectural paint colors (step 104). Preferably, the interface 38 mayadvantageously comprise an architectural paint color display 52 and aselector 54, as indicated in FIG. 12. The display 52 displays colorsamples of architectural paint colors to the user. These paint colorsare preferably the paint colors stored within the database 48, in whichcase the input reference color selected by the user is also thereference paint color. Any of a variety of different types of displayscan be used, such as boards, pamphlets, or a monitor, keeping in mindthe goal of displaying architectural paint colors. The selector 54 is adevice which allows the user to select the input reference color fromamong the colors displayed on the display 52. Any of a variety ofdifferent types of selectors can be used, such as a keyboard, mouse, ortouch-screen display, giving due consideration to the goals ofconveniently selecting a paint color and, optionally, operating aselection program.

The display 52 can display some or all of the colors within thearchitectural paint color database 48. In one embodiment, the display 52comprises a CRT or a flat matrix array screen. The colors shown on thescreen can be controlled by a computer program stored on the memory 42.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an input color selectioncomputer program is provided which instructs the processor 40 to querythe user for a color group display request (step 106). The processorsends a sampling of different colors to the screen 52, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 13. The user has the option of selecting any of thedisplayed colors. Such a selection serves as a request to view a groupof paint colors, such as a sampling of colors from a selected colorspace portion 50. Upon receiving the user's request (step 108), theprocessor 40 accesses the selected color groups from the database 48 andsends them to the screen 52 (step 110). If the user does not select anyof the displayed colors, the processor sends another color group displayrequest (step 112). In this manner, the user can selectively scrollthrough colors or color groups from the database 48. The user can thenuse the selector 54, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch-screen, or otherdata-entry means, to select a displayed color.

Preferably, the user is given the option to fine-tune his or her colorselection. FIG. 14 shows a sample monitor screen offering the user theoption to fine tune the color selection. Displayed on the screen are asampling of different paint colors having substantially the same hue asthe color selected from the screen of FIG. 13. The colors displayed onthe screen of FIG. 14 preferably comprise a two-dimensional array ofcolors spanning ranges of value and chroma that are particularly suitedfor architectural paint. Advantageously, the user is given a wideselection of colors to choose from. The user can adjust the value orchroma of the entire display of colors by clicking on the arrows. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the user can adjust the value ofall of the colors on the display by clicking on the arrows labeled“darker” and “lighter.” Also, the screen of FIG. 14 preferably has acolor comparison portion, as shown on the right in the illustratedembodiment, wherein the user can compare a presently selected color witha previously selected color. Eventually, the user settles on a color asthe input reference color. In alternative embodiments, the display 52may comprise a display card or board showing paint colors of thedatabase 48. In these embodiments, the colors may be numbered to allowthe user to select an input reference color by inputting one of thenumbers into the system 36.

FIG. 15 shows a sample monitor screen in which the user can adjust thevalue of a selected color, and compare the adjusted color to theoriginal color, by clicking on the arrows labelled “lighter” and“darker.”

One problem that may occur as a result of using a television monitor orflat matrix array screen as the display 52 is that the displayed colorsmay not accurately depict the displayed paint colors. Also, differentmonitors may have different settings (e.g., brightness, contrast, etc.)which may result in non-uniformity of displayed colors between thedifferent monitors. For these reasons, the monitors are preferablycalibrated periodically to a standard setting. Also, high quality videocards are preferably used to produce a more accurate display.

In one optional aspect of the system 36, the user can also choose toselect an input reference color by entering a color identification codethat identifies a color based upon an alternative color reference systemor database (step 114). This feature is helpful to users that arefamiliar with other color reference systems. For example, the user maywish to enter a code based upon a well-known color reference system usedby a company that sells goods provided in a spectrum of colors, such astextiles, inks, or paint. The input color selection program can providethis option to the user. Accordingly, the memory 42 includes colorinformation of colors within various alternative color referencesystems. In addition, for every color within such alternative colorreference systems, the memory 42 includes an indication of thearchitectural paint color within the paint color database 48 that isvisually closest to it, with respect to a color-order system. Forexample, the memory may include a look-up table indicating whichdatabase paint color is closest in hue, value, and chroma or,alternatively, closest in CIELAB coordinates, to the input referencecolor selected from the alternative color reference system.

According to this method, the processor 40 requests the user to selectan alternative color-reference system (step 116), such as, for example,one used by a paint company. The user chooses from a selection of suchalternative color reference systems or databases stored in the memory42. FIG. 16 shows a sample monitor screen providing the user a selectionof alternative color reference systems. Upon receiving the user'sselection (step 118), the processor requests a color identification codethat identifies a color of the selected color-reference system (step120). The user can then enter a color identification code based on thechosen alternative color reference system, to identify the inputreference color. The processor receives the user's color selection (step122) and searches the memory 42 to find the input reference color. Theprocessor then finds the paint color within the paint color database 48that is the closest match to the input reference color (step 124). Inother words, the input reference color may not exactly correspond withan architectural paint color in the database 48, due to the arbitraryselection of colors in the different color-reference systems. Therefore,the processor 40 finds the closest match. The paint color that theprocessor selects from the database is the reference paint color.

In another optional aspect of the system 36, the user can also choose toselect the input reference color by entering a common color name (e.g.,“Blush”) (step 126). The memory 42 includes a database of common colornames which correspond to architectural paint colors within the database48. According to this method, the processor 40 requests the user toselect or enter a color name (step 128) as the input reference color.The user simply chooses from a displayed selection of such color names.FIG. 17 shows a sample monitor screen providing the user with aselection of common color names. Alternatively, the user can enter acolor name, which may or may not be known by the system 36. Uponreceiving the user's selection (step 130), the processor 40 reads whichpaint color from the database 48 corresponds to the input referencecolor (step 132). The corresponding paint color is the reference paintcolor.

In another optional aspect of the system 36, the user can choose to scanthe input reference color into the system 36 from a physical specimen,such as a paper, cloth, carpet, etc (step 134). Accordingly, theprocessor 40 requests the user to scan the input reference color intothe system 36 (step 136). The interface 38 preferably includes aspectrophotometer, a device which can read color from a physicalspecimen and determine the color's hue, value, and chroma. The user usesthe spectrophotometer to scan the input reference color into the system36. To scan a color into the system 36, the user simply places a portionof the specimen under a scanning region of the spectrophotometer, saidportion having the color which is desired to be scanned. The input colorselection program preferably allows the user to directly control thespectrophotometer via a mouse, keyboard, touch-screen, or other control.Once activated, the spectrophotometer analyzes the color under thescanning region, i.e., the input reference color, to determine its colorinformation. FIG. 18 shows a sample monitor screen instructing the userhow to scan a color into the system. Upon receiving the scanned color(step 138), the processor searches the paint color database 48 to findan architectural paint color that is the closest match to the inputreference color (step 140). The closest match from the database 48 isthe reference paint color. In one embodiment, a SpectroEye™,manufactured by Gretag Macbeth of New Windsor, N.Y., is used to scan theinput reference color. The SpectroEye™ provides D65 CIELAB coordinatesof the input reference color, which are compared with D65 CIELABcoordinates of the paint colors stored in the database 48.

Once the input reference color is received by the interface 38, theprocessor 40 determines the reference paint color as described above,depending on the method by which the input reference color is selectedby the user. At this point the processor 40 has determined the colorinformation of the reference paint color. The processor 40 is configuredto perform complementary color selection instructions 46, i.e., aprogram, stored in the memory 42 (FIG. 6). The instructions 46 directthe processor 40 to select complementary architectural paint colors inthe following manner: The processor 40 determines a first hue (step142), which is one of the hues comprising the five-way harmony of thehue of the reference paint color selected by the user. The processor 40then determines a first color space portion (step 144), defined as thecolor space portion 50 that includes the first hue. The processor 40selects from the paint color database 48 a first set of architecturalpaint colors located within the first color space portion (step 146).Finally, the processor 40 directs the display generator 44 to generatean output display including color samples of the first set ofarchitectural paint colors (step 150). In addition, the displaygenerator can be directed to include within the display a color sampleof the reference paint color selected by the user.

The instructions 46 may advantageously direct the processor 40 toexecute the same sequence of steps for each of the other four hues thatcomprise the five-way harmony of the hue of the reference paint color(step 148). Accordingly, the processor 40 determines second, third,fourth, and fifth hues which collectively, along with the first hue,comprise the five-way harmony of the hue of the reference paint color.The processor 40 determines second, third, fourth, and fifth color spaceportions, defined as the color space portions 50 that include thesecond, third, fourth, and fifth hues, respectively. The processor 40selects from the paint color database 48 second, third, fourth, andfifth sets of architectural paint colors located within the second,third, fourth, and fifth color space portions, respectively. Finally,the processor 40 directs the display generator 44 to generate colorsamples of the second, third, fourth, and fifth sets of architecturalpaint colors. If desired, the display generator 44 can generate a singleoutput display including color samples of all of the first through fifthsets of architectural paint colors.

In addition to complementary architectural paint colors, the user maywish to see some color samples having the same or nearly the same hue asthe reference paint color, yet having different values and chroma. Theinstructions 46 may advantageously direct the processor 40 to selectseveral color samples from within the same color space portion 50 of thereference paint color selected by the user. In accordance with thisfeature, the processor 40 determines a sixth color space portion definedas the color space portion 50 which includes the reference paint color.The processor 40 selects from the paint color database 48 a sixth set ofarchitectural paint colors located within the sixth color space portion.Finally, the processor 40 directs the display generator 44 to generatean output display including color samples of the sixth set ofarchitectural paint colors. If desired, the display generator 44 cangenerate a single display including samples from all six sets describedabove. In this manner, the output display will show colors from withinthe entire six-way harmony that includes the reference paint colorselected by the user.

All of the color samples generated by the system 36 are advantageouslyselected from within particular color space portions 50 as describedabove. With respect to value and chroma, the size of such color spaceportions is only limited by the ability to produce architectural paintcolors. However, the user may wish to see color samples that have thesame or nearly the same value and chroma as the reference paint color.In selecting each of the aforementioned sets of architectural paintcolors, the processor 40 can be directed to select paint colors fromwithin either (1) the entire space of the source color space portion,or, more narrowly, (2) the space within a predetermined oruser-specified range of value and chroma which may or may not includethe value and chroma of the reference paint color. For example, inselecting the first set of complementary paint colors, the processor 40can be instructed to select colors from (1) the entire first color spaceportion, or from (2) a sub-portion of the first color space portion, thesub-portion including a range of value and chroma which may or may notinclude the value and chroma of the reference paint color. An advantageof selecting samples from a sub-portion that contains the value andchroma of the reference paint color is that the output display samplecolors will generally be nearer to the lightness and brightness levelsof the reference paint color, as may be desired by the user. Theselected color samples are preferably selected so that the values andchroma thereof “surround” the value and chroma of the reference paintcolor. In this case, the total value range of the selected color samplesis preferably less than 60, more preferably less than 50, morepreferably less than 40, more preferably less than 30, more preferablyless than 20, and even more preferably less than 10. The total chromarange of the selected color samples is preferably less than 60%, morepreferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 40%, more preferablyless than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, and even more preferablyless than 10% of the entire known chroma range at the desired value andhue.

The display generator 44 can be any device which creates an outputdisplay of color samples of architectural paint colors. The outputdisplay can be provided on the monitor display 52. FIGS. 19 and 20 showtwo different embodiments of a sample monitor screen showing an outputdisplay or palette of architectural paint color samples according to theinvention. In this embodiment, the relatively larger color sample in thecenter of the display is the reference paint color, and the smallersamples are complementary and/or matching paint colors. In theillustrated embodiments, arrows labelled “lighter” and “darker” areprovided, which the user can click on to modify the value of the entirepalette. Similar arrows can be provided to adjust the chroma of theentire palette, as well.

The display generator 44 may also be configured to create a hard-copydisplay which the user can keep for future reference. Preferably, thehard-copy display is relatively small and light-weight. The paint colorsamples in the hard-copy display can be arranged in any suitable manner,such as shown in FIG. 19, giving due consideration to the goal ofdisplaying the colors so that they can be easily compared andcontrasted. In one embodiment, the display generator 44 comprises aninkjet color printer which prints ink-based color samples which arereplications of paint color samples. An advantage of using an inkjetcolor printer to print ink-based color samples is that it is relativelyinexpensive compared to generating paint-based color samples.Preferably, the paint color samples are printed on pure white or nearlypure white paper, to minimize any effect of the paper color on the colorsamples. Of course, a display generator 44 which is capable ofgenerating paint-based color samples can be used in the system 36, ifdesired.

In addition to those described above, there are many differentcomplementary color selection and display modes possible for the system36. For instance, in addition to the complements of the input referencecolor, the user may wish to view (1) colors having values and chromasthat are somewhat offset from those of the input reference color, or (2)colors having hues which are somewhat offset from a hue of the six-wayharmony of the hue of the input reference color. For example, the usermay wish to view a color which is complementary to and has the samechroma as the input reference color, but has a somewhat higher or lowervalue. As another example, the user may wish to view a color which iscomplementary to, and has the same value as, the input reference color,but has a somewhat higher or lower chroma. Perhaps the user will wish toview a color which has the same value and chroma as the input referencecolor, but whose hue is somewhat varied from a hue which iscomplementary to that of the input reference color. Such offsetting ofhue, value, and chroma may be done for each of the hues comprising thesix-way harmony that includes the hue of the input reference color.

Such different color selection and display modes may be implemented asfollows: The instructions 46 direct the processor 40 to select anddisplay pairs of paint colors, as defined below. For every color in thedatabase 48, there is assigned a predetermined range of hue, apredetermined range of value, and a predetermined range of chroma. Suchranges include the hue, value, and chroma, respectively, of theparticular color for which such ranges are assigned. Upon receiving aninput reference color, the processor 40 selects from the database 48 areference paint color, which is visually closest to it, i.e., closest inhue, value, and chroma. The reference paint color has a reference hue,reference value, and reference chroma. The processor determine's a“complementary hue,” a hue that is five-way harmonious with thereference hue. The processor then selects from database 48 the colorwhich is closest to the complementary hue, reference value, andreference chroma. This color will be referred to herein as a “matchingcomplementary color.” The matching complementary color is essentiallycomplementary to the reference paint color, and has substantially thesame lightness and brightness levels. For any given reference paintcolor, there is one matching complementary color for every complementaryhue.

Then, the processor 40 selects from the database 48 a pair of “offsetcolors,” including a “first offset color” and a “second offset color.”The pair of offset colors is within and at or near the endpoints of oneof the predetermined ranges associated with the matching complementarycolor. In one embodiment, the offset colors have different hues. Thefirst offset color has a hue substantially equivalent to a firstendpoint of the predetermined range of hue corresponding to the matchingcomplementary color. The second offset color has a hue substantiallyequivalent to a second endpoint of the same predetermined range. Theterm “endpoints” refers to the hues at the ends of the predeterminedrange of hue. The hues of the first and second offset colors arepreferably within the predetermined range of hue and on opposite “sides”of the complementary hue. The value and chroma of the first and secondoffset colors may be substantially equal to the reference value andreference chroma, respectively. The processor 40 preferably directsdisplay generator 44 to create an output display including at least oneof the first and second offset colors. Advantageously, the user can viewcolors which have equivalent lightness and brightness levels as theinput reference color, and which have hues slightly offset from a huethat is complementary to that of the input reference color.

Preferably, the hues of the first and second offset colors are visuallysimilar to the complementary hue (or reference hue, as described below)from which they are offset. For example, if the complementary hue isgenerally blue, it may undesirable for the processor to select an offsetcolor that is generally green or indigo. Thus, each paint color in thedatabase 48 preferably has a predetermined range of hue which remainswithin the same general hue. In one preferred embodiment, eachpredetermined range of hue remains within one of the seven hue familiesdefined by the acronym ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue,indigo, and violet), which defines the generalized sequence of hueslocated about the value axis 20 (FIG. 1). In another preferredembodiment, if there are 90 color space portions 50 (FIG. 7), eachpredetermined range of hue preferably extends to no more than twelve,more preferably to no more than three, more preferably to no more thantwo, and even more preferably to no more than one color space portion 50_(i) on either side of the color space portion in which thecomplementary hue (or reference hue) resides. For example, if thecomplementary hue is in color space portion 50 ₁₀, the offset colors maypreferably reside in color space portions not farther away than colorspace portions 50 ₇ and 50 ₁₃. In yet another preferred embodiment, thehues of the offset colors vary from the hue of the matchingcomplementary color preferably by less than 48°, more preferably lessthan 42°, more preferably less than 36°, more preferably less than 30°,more preferably less than 24°, more preferably less than 18°, and evenmore preferably less than 12° about the value axis 20.

In another embodiment, the offset colors have different values. Thefirst offset color has a value substantially equal to a first endpointof the predetermined range of value corresponding to the matchingcomplementary color. The second offset color has a value substantiallyequal to a second endpoint of the same predetermined range. The valuesof the first and second offset colors are preferably within thepredetermined range of value, one of such values being higher and theother being lower than the reference value. The hue and chroma of thefirst and second offset colors are substantially equal to thecomplementary hue and reference chroma, respectively. The processor 40preferably directs display generator 44 to create an output displayincluding at least one of the first and second offset colors.Advantageously, the user can view colors which are complementary to andhave substantially the same brightness as the input reference color, andwhich are slightly darker or lighter than the input reference color. Ina preferred embodiment, the values of the offset colors are preferablywithin 30, more preferably within 25, more preferably within 20, morepreferably within 15, more preferably within 10, more preferably within5, more preferably within 3, and even more preferably within 2 of thevalue of the matching complementary color.

In another embodiment, the offset colors have different chromas. Thefirst offset color has a chroma substantially equal to a first endpointof the predetermined range of chroma corresponding to the matchingcomplementary color. The second offset color has a chroma substantiallyequal to a second endpoint of the same predetermined range. The chromasof the first and second offset colors are preferably within thepredetermined range of chroma, one of such chromas being higher and theother being lower than the reference chroma. The hue and value of thefirst and second offset colors are substantially equal to thecomplementary hue and reference value, respectively. The processor 40preferably directs display generator 44 to create an output displayincluding at least one of the first and second offset colors.Advantageously, the user can view colors which are complementary to andhave substantially the same lightness as the input reference color, andwhich are slightly duller or brighter than the input reference color. Ina preferred embodiment, the chromas of the offset colors are within 30%,more preferably within 20%, and even more preferably within 10% of thechroma of the matching complementary color, wherein the listedpercentages are percentages of the known chroma range at the hue andvalue of the matching complementary color.

The system 36 may also be configured to create an output display ofcolors which are somewhat varied from the hue, value, and chroma of thereference paint color, rather than those of the matching complementarycolor. In other words, the methods just described above may be modifiedso that the first and second offset colors are chosen with respect tothe reference paint color, rather than the matching complementary color.For example, in one embodiment the first and second offset colors havedifferent hues. Accordingly, the first offset color has a huesubstantially equivalent to a first endpoint of the predetermined rangeof hue corresponding to the reference paint color, and the second offsetcolor has a hue substantially equivalent to a second endpoint of thesame predetermined range. The hues of the first and second offset colorsare within the predetermined range of hue and on opposite “sides” of thereference hue. The value and chroma of the first and second offsetcolors are substantially equal to the reference value and referencechroma, respectively. The processor 40 preferably directs displaygenerator 44 to create an output display including at least one of thefirst and second offset colors. Alternatively, the first and secondoffset colors can be chosen to have (1) values which differ from thereference value, and hue and chroma substantially equal to the referencehue and reference chroma, respectively, or (2) chromas which differ fromthe reference chroma, and hue and value substantially equal to thereference hue and reference value, respectively.

In addition to selecting paint colors that are complementary to a singleinput color, the system 36 may be configured so that the user has theoption of entering or selecting two input colors. In other words, thesystem 36 may be configured to select paint colors that arecomplementary to a two-color scheme input. In one embodiment, the system36 generates an output display including color samples of the five-wayharmonies of each input color. In another embodiment, the system 36takes averages the hues of the two input colors and generates a five-wayharmony of the average hue. The same methods can be used for anymulti-color scheme input, i.e., two or more input colors.

FIG. 21 shows one embodiment of an in-store kiosk version 60 of thepaint color matching and coordinating system 36 of the presentinvention. As shown, the kiosk 60 includes a CRT monitor 52, aspectrophotometer 62, a computer unit 64, and a printer 66. The system36 may be operated by a keyboard 68, mouse 70, and/or a touch-screeninterface on the screen of the monitor 52. The computer unit 64 includesthe previously described processor 40 and memory 42 storing thearchitectural paint color database 48 of the present invention.Advantageously, consumers can use the kiosk 60 while shopping to aid inthe selection and coordination of architectural paint colors.Preferably, the display system described in the Display System Patent isprovided in conjunction with the matching and coordinating system of thepresent invention, to further assist consumers in paint color selection.

The kiosk system 60 of the present invention can be provided in multiplelocations within a retail store. FIG. 22 illustrates this concept. Afirst kiosk is advantageously located within the paint department of thestore. This kiosk may advantageously be networked with other satellitekiosks distributed throughout the remainder of the store, such as in thefloor covering, window covering, and wall covering departments. In oneembodiment, all of the satellite kiosks are scaled down versions of thepaint department kiosk and include a computer, a screen which mayadvantageously be the same screen used for ringing up customertransactions, and a spectrophotometer. The satellite “kiosks” areelectronically connected to the central paint department kiosk and mayadvantageously access the architectural paint color database 48. Thesatellite spectrophotometers are used to permit the scanning of physicalsamples, and the kiosk in the paint department has a printer forprinting the paint color samples as described above. In anotherembodiment, all of the kiosks have printers. This multiple kiosk systemprovides the advantages of convenience and ease of shopping. Forexample, a consumer may be in the window covering department selecting acolor of window covering. The consumer may desire to scan a physicalsample of the selected window covering to determine complementaryarchitectural paint colors. While in the window covering department ofthe store, the consumer can conveniently select paint colors thatcomplement the chosen color of the window covering. The consumer doesnot have to take a physical sample of the window covering to the paintdepartment to use the system.

The system 36 may be configured to receive one or more final paint colorselections after the customer has decided to purchase one or more paintshaving selected paint colors. In this case, the customer may use theinterface 38 to identify the selected paint colors and the quantities ofwhich are desired for purchase. The system may be configured to sendthis information to a paint technician trained to operate a paintbase/colorant mixing apparatus which produces the desired paint(s).Alternatively, the system may be configured to control the mixingapparatus to automatically produce the desired paint(s).

In another aspect of the invention, the system 36 resides in a store andis capable of providing a listing of items sold in the store whosecolors are within an output palette of complementary paint colorsgenerated by the system. According to this aspect of the invention, thedatabase 48 contains color information of inventory contained within thestore or within a network of stores. Such color information may be inthe form of D65 CIELAB, LCH, or any of a variety of other suitable colorreference systems. The color information preferably identifies one ormore of the dominant colors of every item of inventory whose colorinformation is included within database 48. The system is configured sothat after a user directs the system 36 to generate an output palette ofharmonious paint colors, as described above, the user can then query thesystem to provide a list of items sold in the store whose dominantcolors are within or near the colors displayed on the output palette.Upon receiving the query, the system compares the colors on the outputpalette to the colors of the inventory stored in the database, andselects those items whose colors are within a predetermined tolerance ofany of the colors on the output palette. For example, a user may directthe system to generate an output palette of harmonious paint colors thatthe user intends to use to paint the interior of a bathroom. The systemcan then provide a listing of store inventory, such as bath towels,pottery, or rugs, whose colors are harmonious with the paint colors ofthe output palette.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the system 36 ofthe present invention may be implemented outside of the paint retailstore environment. For example, the system 36 can be implemented on anetwork server so that a user can access the system over a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the internet. For example,the system may be accessible over the internet so that a user may accessthe system from a home or office computer. All of the above-describedfeatures can be included. For example, the appropriate architecturalpaint colors can be downloaded from the database 44 to the user'smonitor display. The user can select an input reference color by (1)selecting a paint color from the database 48, (2) inputting a coloridentification code from a known color reference system, (3) inputtingor selecting a common color name, or (4) if the user has aspectrophotometer, scanning a color into the system 36 from a physicalspecimen. Finally, the user can obtain a hard-copy printout of paintcolors if the user has a suitable printer. The settings for the printerand the monitor could be sent to the user's computer for automaticallypreparing the user's computer monitor and printer for the truestpossible color viewing.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of the claims that follow.

1. A method of generating a display of complementary architectural paintcolor samples, comprising: receiving an input reference color having areference hue; selecting a first narrow range of hues from a pluralityof known non-overlapping narrow ranges of hue that collectively spansubstantially all hue in a known color space, the first range of huesencompassing a first hue that is complementary to said reference hue;displaying one or more separate and individually selectable colorsamples of architectural paint colors having hues within said firstnarrow range of hues on an output display comprising one of a displaymonitor and a hard-copy printout; and monitoring for a selection of oneor more of the color samples on the output display.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said first hue is one of the hues comprising a five-wayharmony of said reference hue.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: selecting a second narrow range of hues encompassing asecond hue that is five-way harmonious with respect to said referencehue, the second narrow hue range not overlapping with the first narrowhue range; selecting a third narrow range of hues encompassing a thirdhue that is five-way harmonious with respect to said reference hue, thethird narrow hue range not overlapping with either of the first andsecond narrow hue ranges; displaying on the output display one or moreseparate and individually selectable color samples of architecturalpaint colors having hues within said third narrow range of hues;selecting a fourth narrow range of hues encompassing a fourth hue thatis five-way harmonious with respect to said reference hue, the fourthnarrow hue range not overlapping with any of the first, second, andthird narrow hue ranges; displaying on the output display one or moreseparate and individually selectable color samples of architecturalpaint colors having hues within said fourth narrow range of hues;selecting a fifth narrow range of hues encompassing a fifth hue that isfive-way harmonious with respect to said reference hue, the fifth narrowhue range not overlapping with any of the first, second, third, andfourth narrow hue ranges; and displaying on the output display one ormore separate and individually selectable color samples of architecturalpaint colors having hues within said fifth narrow range of hues.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: selecting a sixth narrow range ofhues encompassing said reference hue, the sixth narrow hue range notoverlapping with any of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthnarrow hue ranges; and displaying on the output display one or moreseparate and individually selectable color samples of architecturalpaint colors having hues within said sixth narrow range of hues.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first hue is a split-complement of saidreference hue.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: selecting asecond narrow range of hues encompassing a second hue which is asplit-complement of said reference hue, said second narrow hue range notoverlapping with said first narrow hue range; and displaying on theoutput display one or more separate and individually selectable colorsamples of architectural paint colors having hues within said secondnarrow range of hues.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:selecting a third narrow range of hues encompassing said reference hue,said third narrow hue range not overlapping with either of the first orsecond narrow hue ranges; and displaying on the output display one ormore color samples of architectural paint colors having hues within saidthird narrow range of hues.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein displayingsaid one or more color samples on said output display is accomplished ata remote location.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying said oneor more color samples comprises transmitting data representative of saidcolor samples over the Internet.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving a selection of one of said one or more colorsamples.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising producingarchitectural paint having the color of said selected one of said one ormore color samples.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving theinput reference color comprises receiving a color identification codebased on a known color reference system.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising adjusting the reference hue prior to selecting thefirst narrow range of hues.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting the hue of at least one of the one or more colorsamples.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a valuesetting of the input reference color.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting a value setting of at least one of the one or morecolor samples.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting achroma setting of the input reference color.
 18. The method of claim 1,further comprising adjusting a chroma setting of at least one of the oneor more color samples.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying, on said output display, text identifications of said one ormore color samples displayed on said output display.
 20. An inventoryselection system, comprising: color information identifying a palette ofharmonious paint colors compatible with a customer's needs and stored ina processor-accessible storage medium, wherein said harmonious colorpalette includes at least two colors and the colors have hues that areseparated from one another approximately by a predetermined angle in acolor space; a database of merchandise items, said database containingcolor information of said merchandise items; and a processor incommunication with said storage medium to read said color information ofsaid harmonious paint colors and with said database to read said colorinformation of said merchandise items; wherein said processor isconfigured to select merchandise items from said database whose colorinformation is within a predetermined tolerance of the color informationof any of said harmonious paint colors.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein each of the harmonious paint colors has a hue that issubstantially split-complementary with respect to each of the hues ofthe other paint colors of the palette.
 22. The system of claim 20,wherein each of the harmonious paint colors has a hue that issubstantially five-way harmonious with respect to each of the hues ofthe other paint colors of the palette.
 23. The system of claim 20,wherein the at least two colors have hues that are separated from oneanother by a multiple of the predetermined angle in the color space. 24.The system of claim 20, wherein the predetermined angle is 120°.
 25. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the predetermined angle is 60°.
 26. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein said processor is configured to provide alisting of said selected merchandise items.
 27. The system of claim 20,further comprising an architectural paint color selection systemconfigured to generate an output display of said harmonious paintcolors.
 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising one or morekiosks, at least one of the kiosks being configured to receive an inputreference color having a reference hue and send said reference hue tosaid architectural paint color selection system, wherein saidarchitectural paint color selection system is configured to selectadditional hues that are five-way harmonious with respect to saidreference hue, said architectural paint color selection systemconfigured to include in said output display separate and individuallyselectable architectural paint color samples having hues that aresubstantially the same as said additional hues.
 29. The system of claim28, wherein said one or more kiosks are in a retail store.
 30. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein said at least one of said kiosks isconfigured to receive said input reference color from a scan of aphysical sample by a scanner.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein saidscanner comprises a spectrophotometer.
 32. The system of claim 28,wherein said at least one of said kiosks is configured to receive saidinput reference color by displaying a sampling of architectural paintcolors and receiving a selection of one of the colors of said sampling.33. The system of claim 28, wherein said at least one of said kiosks isconfigured to receive said input reference color by receiving a coloridentification code based upon a known color reference system.
 34. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein said at least one of said kiosks isconfigured to receive said input reference color by receiving a commoncolor name.
 35. The system of claim 27, wherein said architectural paintcolor selection system is configured to generate said output display ofharmonious paint colors based upon an input reference color receivedover a local area network.
 36. The system of claim 27, wherein saidarchitectural paint color selection system is configured to generatesaid output display of harmonious paint colors based upon an inputreference color received over a wide area network.
 37. The system ofclaim 27, wherein said architectural paint color selection system isconfigured to generate said output display of harmonious paint colorsbased upon an input reference color received over the Internet.
 38. Thesystem of claim 27, wherein said architectural paint color selectionsystem is configured to send said output display of harmonious paintcolors to a remote device, said remote device comprising one of adisplay monitor and a printer.
 39. An inventory selection system,comprising: an architectural paint color selection system configured togenerate an output display of harmonious paint colors and to communicatecolor information of said paint colors to a processor, wherein saidoutput display of harmonious paint colors includes at least two colorsand the colors have hues that are separated from one another by apredetermined angle in a color space; a database of merchandise items,said database containing color information of said merchandise items;and a processor in communication with said paint color selection systemto read said color information of said harmonious paint colors and withsaid database to read said color information of said merchandise items;wherein said processor is configured to select merchandise items fromsaid database whose color information is within a predeterminedtolerance of the color information of any of said harmonious paintcolors.
 40. The system of claim 39, wherein each of the harmonious paintcolors of the output display has a hue that is substantiallysplit-complementary with respect to each of the hues of the other paintcolors of the output display.
 41. The system of claim 39, wherein eachof the harmonious paint colors of the output display has a hue that issubstantially five-way harmonious with respect to each of the hues ofthe other paint colors of the output display.
 42. An inventory selectionsystem, comprising: a storage of color information including fourdifferent palettes of harmonious paint colors, a selected one of saidpalettes being compatible with a customer's needs, the colors of eachsaid palette being substantially completely different than the colors ofeach of the other of said palettes; a database of merchandise items, thedatabase containing color information of the merchandise items; and aprocessor in communication with the storage to read the colorinformation of the harmonious paint colors of the selected palette andwith the database to read the color information of the merchandiseitems; wherein the processor is configured to select merchandise itemsfrom the database whose color information is within a predeterminedtolerance of the color information of the harmonious paint colors of theselected palette.